Honda revealed two concepts pointing to the ninth-generation, 2012 Civic. Honda wants us to know the prototype Civic Coupe and sedan will entice the "young at heart," further highlighting some tension in being the "VTEC just kicked in, yo" company.

Advertisement

Not that there's anything wrong with keeping older buyers from being alienated from an overly-stylized compact with a history of teen drama. Wider appeal is a good thing. And the Civic Concept sedan and Si Concept coupe aren't safely styled, quite. Both have steep windshield rakes, straky sidelines and stocky stances. The kids will of course like the Civic Si Concept coupe, and its air diffuser, central exhaust and dual-vented spoiler. Both have 19" alloys.